Learn Dutch: Ik pak het boek.

This relates to the open and closed syllable rules. In the word pak, the syllable is closed by a consonant, so the single a makes a short sound. To keep that short sound in the full verb (pakken), we must double the k. When we find the I-form by removing -en, we drop the extra k because Dutch words never end in a double consonant.

Why do we use het instead of de for "the book"?

In Dutch, nouns are divided into categories. Boek is a neuter noun, so it must always use het for "the". If it were a masculine or feminine noun, we would use de. It is best to memorize het boek together as a pair!

Is there a difference between pakken and nemen for "to take"?

Yes! Pakken usually means to physically grab, catch, or pick something up with your hands. If you are picking up a book from a table, pakken is the right word. Nemen is used for taking something less physical, like taking a break or taking the train.

How should I pronounce the vowels in boek?

Even though it looks like the English word "book," the Dutch oe is pronounced like the "oo" in the English word "boot" or "food." It is always a single, combined vowel sound.